Was born by the river in a little tent Oh, and like that river I've been running ever since It's been a long, long time coming But I know a change is gonna come Oh yes it is It's been too hard living and I'm affraid to die I don't know what's up there beyond the sky It's been a long, long time coming But I know a change is gonna come Oh yes it is I go to the movies and I go around in town Everybody there keeps telling me "don't hang around" It's been a long, a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come Oh yes it is Then I go to my brother And I say "Brother, please" But he just winds up, knocking me Back down on my knees Sometimes I thought I wouldn't last for long But now I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long, long time coming But I know a change is gonna come Oh yes it is